Littlejohn, Sfanos step up their games to guide Butler, Mars into playoffs
The 2022-23 boys basketball season brought additional challenges in different ways to Braylon Littlejohn and Tasso Sfanos.
Both responded even better than expected — and have been named Butler Eagle Co-Boys Basketball Players of the Year as a result.
North Catholic junior guard Max Hurray, who averaged 23.4 points per game, also received consideration for the honor.
Littlejohn, a junior guard for Butler, figured to be a standout player for the Golden Tornado. When Butler lost senior leader Madden Clement to a broken leg nearly halfway into the season, his role suddenly expanded.
“When Madden went down, given all the different ways he contributed to us on the floor — Braylon had to do that much more,” Butler coach Matt Clement said. “He picked up his game in practically every area.
“He was pretty much unstoppable in transition. Teams concentrated on forcing us into a half-court game and Braylon never got enough credit for his 3-point shooting. He shot around 30% from out there in addition to all of his other skills.”
Littlejohn wound up averaging 21.1 points per game this year — leading all of WPIAL Class 6A — along with averaging 5.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.7 steals per game.
“With Madden out, everybody had to do more,” Littlejohn said. “I thought my biggest change was in leadership. I had to become more aggressive. I used to be a little timid to shoot. I had to do more of my share that way.”
Clement pointed out that Littlejohn scored his points “while rarely taking more than 15 shots per game.” He did plenty of damage from the free throw line.
Sfanos knew he’d have to be a leader from the start. A senior guard for Mars, he played with four senior starters the season before.
“I loved the guys who were on the floor with me this season,” Sfanos said. “But, no doubt, being the only starter coming back, I had to be the leader. That was so different from my junior year, when I was playing with all of those seniors.”
Sfanos led Butler Conty in scoring this season, averaging 25.1 points per game. He also averaged 4.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists per contest and drained a school-record 87 treys.
Sfanos owns the Planets’ career record of 226 treys.
“Tasso made himself into the player he is today,” Mars coach Rob Carmody said. “He was 5-foot-6 and weighed maybe 115 pounds his freshman year. This year, he’s 6-2 and weighs 180. Part of that is physical maturity. Another part of that is the weight room.
“That kid had a tremendous season. He worked so hard on every phase of his game. He definitely ranks as one of the best basketball players to ever suit up for Mars. He’s joined that list.”
Sfanos was known for his defense as well.
“He guarded the best guard on the other team every night and we play in the toughest 5A section in the WPIAL. Four starters gone from the previous year and we reached the second round of the state playoffs. That says a lot right there,” Carmody said.
“I knew I had to improve defensively,” Sfanos said. “I was happy with the way I progressed in that area. I’ve always been a shooter. When I was a young kid, I started spotting up and shooting 3’s. I never stopped.”
While Sfanos is headed to the University of South Carolina-Beaufort, which is starting a Division II men’s basketball program next year, Littlejohn has his senior year in front of him at Butler. He will likely be the Golden Tornado quarterback next fall as well.
“He’s only scratching the surface for how good he can be,” Clement said. “Braylon is so shifty, has tremendous speed and can change directions like no one else can. He’s still growing into his body, probably has another growth spurt coming.
“He’s not in his man’s body yet. It will be scary when he gets there.”
Littlejohn sees plenty of room for improvement.
“Definitely my shooting and I’ll need to be more of a leader next year,” he said. “I want to lead my team all the way to the Petersen Events Center (for the WPIAL 6A championship game) next season.
“It feels good, having the season I did. A lot of that credit goes to Coach Clement. He allows me freedom to do the things I do.”
Carmody believes Sfanos is only going to get better as well.
“He’s joining a brand new program, where there are no returning three-year starters or lettermen,” the Mars coach said. “Every player there will be fighting for a position and playing time. Believe me, that’s all the motivation Tasso needs.”
